Sun Shading Arrangement

ABSTRACT

A sun shading arrangement is disclosed as including a sun shading portion, an arm arrangement connected with the sun shading portion, and a support portion connected with the arm arrangement, and the support portion is a double-helical structure. The arm arrangement includes at least two arms which are pivotable relative to each other, and a locking mechanism with a switch which is swivelable between a locked position in which the arms are locked against relative pivotable movement relative to each other and an unlocked position in which the arms are pivotable relative to each other.

This invention relates to a sun shading arrangement, and in particular such a sun shading arrangement allowing selective prevention of exposure to sunlight.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In some prior art sun shading arrangements, once the arrangement is set, it is not possible to adjust the orientation or position of the light-blocking element relative to the rest of the arrangement, such that a user has to adjust his/her own position relative to the light-blocking element for obtaining the appropriate effect. Although it is possible, in some other prior art sun shading arrangements, to change the orientation or position of the light-blocking element relative to the rest of the arrangement, as the support arm with which the light-blocking element is engaged is rather long, there is the problem that the arrangement may topple over the user in use, thus causing inconvenience and even danger to the user.

Yet some other prior art sun shading arrangements, e.g. beach umbrellas, are designed to be fixed to the sand in the beach. It is well known that it is very difficult, if at all possible, to securely fix such arrangements to sand in the beach.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a sun shading arrangement in which at least one of the aforesaid shortcomings is mitigated, or at least to provide a useful alternative to the public.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sun shading arrangement including a sun shade member, an arm arrangement connected with said sun shading member, and a support member connected with said arm arrangement, wherein at least part of said support member is a double-helical structure.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sun shading arrangement including a sun shading member, an arm arrangement connected with said sun shading member, and a support member connected with said arm arrangement, wherein said arm arrangement includes at least two arm members which are pivotable relative to each other, and a locking assembly with a switch member which is swivellable between a locked position in which said arm members are locked against relative pivotable movement relative to each other and an unlocked position in which said arm members are pivotable relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sun shade according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sun shade according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sun shade part of the sun shade shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the sun shade part of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an arm arrangement of the sun shade shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a support part of the sun shade shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a clamping arrangement of the sun shade shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the screw-like portion of the support part shown in FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked “A” shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a further enlarged view of the encircled part marked “A” shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a yet further enlarged view of the encircled part marked “A” shown in FIG. 9 from another perspective;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the support part;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged partial left side view of the support part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged partial right side view of the support part shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged partial left side view of an improved support part based on the support part shown in FIGS. 14 and 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the support part shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a bottom view of the support part shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a bottom perspective view of the support part shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the support part shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a top view of a switch of the locking assembly of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 22 is a front view of the switch shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a side view of the switch shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the switch shown in FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked “8” in FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a top view of a piston of the locking assembly of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 27 is a side view of the piston shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 28 is another side view of the piston shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view of the piston shown in FIG. 26;

FIG. 30 is a top view of a ring of the locking assembly of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 31 is a front view of the ring shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 32 is a side view of the ring shown in FIG. 30;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a spring of the locking assembly of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 34 is a front view of a clutch of the locking member of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 35 is a top view of the clutch shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 36 is a side view of the clutch shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the clutch shown in FIG. 34;

FIG. 38 is a top view of a stator of the locking assembly of the arm arrangement shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 39 is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked “c” in FIG. 38;

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of the stator shown in FIG. 38;

FIG. 41 is a top view showing engagement of the clutch with the stator;

FIG. 42 is a perspective view showing engagement of the clutch with the stator;

FIG. 43 is a top view showing the switch in an unlocked position;

FIG. 44 is a side view showing the switch, piston, ring, spring and clutch of the locking assembly assembled with one another, in an unlocked configuration;

FIG. 45 is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in FIG. 44;

FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked “0” in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 44, with the clutch removed;

FIG. 48 is a top view showing the switch in a locked position;

FIG. 49 is a side view showing the switch, piston, ring, spring and clutch of the locking assembly assembled with one another, in a locked configuration;

FIG. 50 is a sectional view taken along the line F-F in FIG. 49;

FIG. 51 is an enlarged view of the encircled part marked “G” in FIG. 50; and

FIG. 52 is a front view of the arrangement shown in FIG. 49, with the clutch removed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sun shade, generally designated as 10, according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sun shade 10 has a sun shade part 12, an arm arrangement 14 connected with the sun shade part 12, and a support part 16 connected with the arm arrangement 14. The sun shade part 12 is pivotable relative to the arm arrangement 14 about a pivot 18, and the arm arrangement 14 is pivotable relative to the support part 16 about a locking mechanism 20, to be discussed below. The support part 16 is designed to be inserted into sand for supporting the sun shade 10 above sand, e.g. on a beach.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a sun shade, generally designated as 30, according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. Similar to the sun shade 10, the sun shade 30 also has a sun shade part 12 and an arm arrangement 14 which are pivotable relative to each other about a pivot 18. The sun shade 30 has a support part 32, which is different from the support part 16 of the sun shade 10. The support part 32 is pivotable relative to the arm arrangement 14 about the locking mechanism 20. The support part 32 is designed for releasably attaching the sun shade 30 to another article, e.g. a beach recliner.

It can be seen that the sun shades 10 and 30 differ only in respect of their respective support parts 16 and 32.

Turning now to FIGS. 3 and 4, such show, respectively, an assembled view and an exploded view of the sun shade part 12. The sun shade part 12 includes a generally U-shaped frame 40 to which a piece of cloth 42 is secured by a number of securing pins 44. The cloth 42 admits passage of sunlight, yet blocks out substantially all ultra-violet (UV) radiation. An end of the UV-blocking cloth 42 is fixedly secured with a rod 46, which is received within recesses 48 adjacent to front ends of the frame 40. The frame 40 is secured by pins 50 to rods 52, for securing the cloth 42 between the frame 40 and the rods 52. Alternatively, the cloth 42 may be of a mesh structure which allows UV and/or sunlight to pass through via apertures in the mesh structure.

At a rear end of the frame 40 are two headers 54, between which a roller 56 is installed. Around the roller 56 is wound a piece of light-blocking cloth 58. At a free end of the cloth 58 is a tongue 60 with a hole for receiving a finger 62 on the rod 46. Thus, by pulling the tongue 60, the cloth 58 may be unwound and may be kept at the extended unwound configuration by having the finger 62 inserted within the hole of the tongue 60. A torsion spring (not shown) is provided in the roller 56 for biasing the cloth 58 towards the wound up configuration.

As shown in FIG. 5, the arm arrangement 14 is mainly made up of four relatively movable arm segments. A first arm segment 64 is telescopically received within a second arm segment 66, which is in turn connected with a third arm segment 68 via a pivot 70. The third arm segment 68 is connected with a fourth arm segment 72 via the locking mechanism 20. A lower end 74 of the fourth arm segment 72 is hollow, for releasably engaging, e.g. threadedly, the support part 16 or the support part 32, as desired.

The first arm segment 64 is pivotable relative to a sun shade fixing part 76 for engagement with the sun shade part 12 about a pivot 77. The second arm segment 66 is provided with a rotatable locking ring 78 which, when loosened, allows the first arm segment 64 to slide lengthwise relative to the second arm segment 66, to adjust the length of the first arm segment 64 exposed out of the second arm segment 66, and allows the first arm segment 64 to rotate freely relative to the second arm segment 66 about their common longitudinal axis by at least 360° in both directions to adjust the orientation of the sun shade fixing part 76. The ring 78 may be rotated to lock the first segment 64 against movement relative to the second arm segment 66.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the pivot 77 has a body 79 fixed to the first arm segment 64 by a pin 80. The pivot 77 includes a piston 82, a clutch 84, a stator 86 and a cover 88. The clutch 84 is fixedly engaged with the sun shade fixing part 76 and the stator 86 is fixed with the body 79. The clutch 84 is rotatable relative to the stator 86 about a common longitudinal axis, thus allowing the sun shade fixing part 76 to rotate relative to the pivot first arm segment 64 by at least 360° in both directions.

Similarly, a body 92 of the pivot 70 is fixed to the second arm segment 66 by a pin 90. The pivot 70 includes a piston 94, a stator 96, a clutch 98 and a cover 100.

As to the locking mechanism 20, such includes a switch 102, a piston 104, a ring 106, a coil spring 108, a clutch 110, a stator 112 and a cover 114, to be further discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 7, the support part 16 includes a generally cylindrical screw-like portion 120 and a turn bar 122 which may be received through a hole 124 adjacent an upper longitudinal end of the portion 120 for rotating the portion 120. As to the support part 32 shown in FIG. 8, such includes a body 126 through a lower end of which a threaded portion 127 of a bolt 128 extends. A free end of the threaded portion 127 of the bolt 128 is engaged with a plate 130. The bolt 128 may thus be rotated to vary the distance between the plate 130 and an upper end 132 of the body 126 for securing the support part 32, and thus the sun shade 30, to another article. A ring 134 is provided at an upper end of the support part 32 for releasably engaging the support part 32 to the lower end 74 of the fourth arm segment 72.

The structure of the screw-like portion 120 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 9 to 12. It can be seen that the portion 120 is generally cylindrical in shape, with a double-helical structure running along the majority of its length. The portion 120 has two lowermost leading edges 140 with an upper surface 142 which is slanted relative to a longitudinal axis L-L of the portion 120 at an angle ( ) which is between 40° and 80°. The slanted upper surfaces 142 enhance movement of sand along the threads 144 of the double-helical structure of the portion 120, thus facilitating drilling of the portion 120 into sand.

Screw-like portions 120 may be mass produced by moulding. In order to allow for moulding, the shape of the double-helical structure of the portion 120 has to be modified by removing some of the materials in the portions marked by M in FIGS. 14 and 15, to arrive at the shape as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.

It can be seen from FIGS. 18 and 19 that the two leading edges 140 of the portion 120 are parallel to each other and lie on the same plane. It can also be seen that at a lower longitudinal end of the portion 120 is a generally conical end 146, which assists in inserting the portion 120 into sand. With such an arrangement, by rotating the turn bar 122, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L-L of the portion 120, and exerting a downward force, the portion 120 can be drilled into sand and be securely fixed therein, for supporting the sun shade 10 on the sand.

The switch 102 of the locking mechanism 20 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 21 to 25. The switch 102 has circular plate 150 on an upper surface of which a ridge 152 is provided, which may be operated by fingers of a user to turn the switch 102. An arrow symbol 154 is provided on the plate 150 for indicating the orientation of the switch 102. Two legs 156 extend from a lower surface of the plate 150. Each of the legs 156 is provided with a snapping portion 158 for effecting snap-fit engagement with the piston 104, to be discussed below.

As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29, the piston 104 has two curved slots 160, through each of which a leg 156 of the switch 102 is received and snap fitted. Once fitted, the switch 102 may be swivelled relative to the piston 104 about the longitudinal axis P-P of the piston 104, but cannot be disengaged from the piston 104. The arrow symbol 154 of the switch 102 may be swivelled between the position marked “Lock” and the position marked “Unlock” on the piston 104, to indicate whether the locking mechanism is in a locked configuration or in an unlocked configuration. The piston 104 is also provided with two ridges 155 the function of which will be discussed below.

The ring 106 is shown in FIGS. 30 to 32. It can be seen that the ring 106 has two recesses 162 and two troughs 163, the functions of which will be discussed below. An enlarged view of the coil spring 108 is shown in FIG. 33.

Various views of the clutch 110 are shown in FIGS. 34 to 37. The clutch 110 is generally cylindrical in shape and has a body 164 and a number of integrally formed resilient claws 166 the free ends of which may move radially.

As to the stator 112, such is in a generally ring shape and has an inner periphery lined with troughs 170 for receiving the claws 166 of the clutch 110, and intervening crests 172.

As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the clutch 110 is receivable within the inner cavity of the stator 112 for relative rotational movement about their common longitudinal axis. The claws 166 are received within the troughs 170. The maximum distance “x” (see FIG. 35) between two diametrically opposite claws 166 is slightly larger than the maximum distance “y” (see FIG. 38) of two diametrically opposite troughs 170, in order to enhance engagement between the clutch 110 and the stator 112. It can be seen that, in order to allow a claw 166 to travel from one trough 170 to the adjacent trough 170, the claw 166, in particular its free end, has to move radially inwardly to pass the intervening crest 172, before the claw 166 can flex back under its own resilience to rest in the adjacent trough 170.

FIGS. 43 to 46 show the relevant parts of the locking mechanism 20 in an unlocked configuration. In this configuration, the switch 102 is at the unlocked position (as shown in FIG. 43), and the legs 156 of the switch 102, which are in contact with the ring 106, are received within the recesses 162 of the ring 106. By reason of the biasing force of the spring 108, the ring 106 is pushed to slide towards the switch 102. As the ridges 155 of the piston 104 are received within the troughs 163 of the ring 106, the ring 106 can only slide, but not rotate, relative to and along the length of the piston 104, i.e. parallel to the axis of swiveling of the switch 102. In this position, a stopping portion 180 of the ring 106 is clear of the inner surfaces of the claws 166, thus allowing the claws 166 to flex radially inwardly and outwardly when negotiating from trough 170 to trough 170, thus allowing rotation of the clutch 110 relative to the stator 112 in both directions.

When the switch 102 is at the locked position, as shown in FIG. 48, the locking mechanism 20 is in the locked configuration, as shown in FIGS. 49 to 52. In such a configuration, the legs 156 are away from the recesses 162 of the ring 106, thus pushing the ring 106 away from the switch 102. The stopping portion 180 of the ring 106 abuts the inner surfaces of the claws 166, thus preventing the claws 166 from flexing radially inwardly, such that rotation of the clutch 110 relative to the stator 112 is prevented. In such a locked configuration, the third arm segment 68 is locked against pivotal movement relative to the fourth arm segment 72.

It should be pointed out that the spring 108 in the locking mechanism 20 may be dispensed with. In this case, when the locking mechanism 20 is in the unlocked configuration, the ring 106 may slide freely between a first position in which the recesses 162 receive the legs 156 of the switch 102 and a second position in which it is in contact with the inner surfaces of the claws 166 of the clutch 110. When the locking mechanism 20 is in the locked configuration, the ring 106 is forced by the legs 156 of the switch 102 to remain in the aforesaid second position to prevent relative movement between the clutch 110 and the stator 112, thus performing a locking function.

Returning now to FIG. 6, it should be noted that the pistons 82, 94 and 104 are of the same structure, the clutches 84, 98 and 110 are of the same structure, and the stators 86, 96 and 112 are of the same structure. It can be seen that neither of the pivots 70 and 77 includes a ring similar to the ring 106 in the locking mechanism 20. The pivots 70 and 77 are thus unlockable, although the inter-engagement between the claws of the clutch 84, 98 with the recesses in the respective stator 86, 96 would have the effect of maintaining the orientation between the sun shade fixing part 76 and the arm segment 64, and that between the arm segment 66 and the arm segment 68, unless such is changed by a user.

It should be understood that the term “sun shading arrangement” as used in this specification is meant to encompass arrangements intended for at least partially shielding off sunlight or UV, and thus includes, amongst others, beach umbrellas and the like.

It should be understood that the above only illustrates examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It should also be understood that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any appropriate sub-combinations. 

1. A sun shading arrangement including: a sun shading member; an arm arrangement connected with said sun shading member; and a support member connected with said arm arrangement; wherein at least part of said support member is a double-helical structure.
 2. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said support member is generally cylindrical in shape.
 3. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said double-helical structure runs along at least part of the length of said support member.
 4. An arrangement according to claim 3 wherein said double-helical structure runs along a majority of the length of said support member.
 5. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said support member includes a generally conical free first longitudinal end.
 6. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein each helix of said double-helical structure has a leading edge.
 7. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said leading edges of said helixes are substantially parallel to each other.
 8. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein said leading edges of said helixes lie substantially on the same plane.
 9. An arrangement according to claim 6 wherein the upper surface of the leading edge of said helix is slanted relative to the longitudinal axis of said support member by from 40° to 80°.
 10. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said support member is engaged with a turn bar which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said support member.
 11. An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said turn bar is engaged with said support member adjacent a second longitudinal end of said support member.
 12. A sun shading arrangement including: a sun shading member; an arm arrangement connected with said sun shading member; and a support member connected with said arm arrangement; wherein said arm arrangement includes: at least two arm members which are pivotable relative to each other; and a locking assembly with a switch member which is swivellable between a locked position in which said arm members are locked against relative pivotable movement relative to each other and an unlocked position in which said arm members are pivotable relative to each other.
 13. An arrangement according to claim 12 wherein said switch member comprises at least one leg member in contact with a ring member, wherein swiveling of said switch member causes said ring member to move along a path generally parallel to an axis of swiveling of said switch member.
 14. An arrangement according to claim 13 wherein when said switch member is swiveled from said locked position to said unlocked position, said ring member moves closer to said switch member.
 15. An arrangement according to claim 14 further including biasing means for biasing said ring member towards said switch member.
 16. An arrangement according to claim 13 wherein said locking assembly further includes a clutch member with a plurality of claw members, and wherein said clutch member is received within a stator member for relative rotational movement about a common longitudinal axis.
 17. An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein said stator member includes a number of troughs each for receiving at least part of a respective claw member of said clutch member.
 18. An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein said claw members are resiliently movable relative to a body of said clutch member.
 19. An arrangement according to claim 18 wherein a free end of each said claw member is movable radially relative to the body of said clutch member.
 20. An arrangement according to claim 14 wherein when said switch member is in said locked position, a stopping portion of said ring member is engaged with inner surfaces of the claw members to prevent inward radial movement of said free ends of said claw members, thus preventing relative rotational movement between said clutch member and said stator.
 21. An arrangement according to claim 14 wherein when said switch member is in said unlocked position, a stopping portion of said ring member is out of engagement with inner surfaces of the claw members to allow inward radial movement of said free ends of said claw members, thus allowing relative rotational movement between said clutch member and said stator. 